Hiroshima: Spirit of the Season

In its three-decade existence, the LA-based ensemble Hiroshima—Dan Kuramoto (keyboards/woodwinds/composer), June Okida Kuramoto (koto), Danny Yamamoto (drums), Kimo Cornwell (keyboards), Dean Cortez (bass), and Shoji Kameda (taiko drum)—blended jazz, pop, and rock with traditional Japanese folk music and instruments to become pioneers in World Music. This lyrical excursion into holiday themes includes "Listen (To the Falling Snow)," "Peace on Earth," "Winter Wonderland," and "Silent Night."

"Just when you thought it wasn't possible to add another twist to traditional Christmas music, here come the soft jazz stalwarts of Hiroshima to prove you wrong…. With 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' as a big-band samba with koto … and 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' as a sort of gently funky quiet storm ballad …. 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,' which puts a closely miked alto flute at the center of the arrangement, is simply gorgeous, and their take on 'White Christmas' offers a perfect balance between celebration and sadness."—All Music Guide